Patient Rights + Responsibilities

PATIENT RIGHTS

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Equal service, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnic background, education, social class, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or economic status, including respect for your civil rights and religious opinions.

Considerate, courteous and respectful care from competent BLRHC staff, including the right to know the names, titles and professions of all staff with whom you receive services or information.

Complete information about your health and the care provided in terms you can understand. A patient who does not speak English, or is hearing or speech impaired has the right to an interpreter, when possible.

Reasonable continuity of care within the scope of services provided by BLRHC and its staff.

Informed consent, including a full discussion of risks, benefits and alternatives prior to any invasive procedure, except in an emergency.

Informed decisions regarding your care and you have the right to include family members in those decisions.

Refusal of any drugs, treatment or procedures to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of this refusal.

Respect your privacy and confidentiality of your personal health information/records as provided by law.

Medical records to be treated confidentially and read only by people with a need to know. Information about a patient will be released only with permission from the patient or as required by law.

Inform BLRHC management of your concerns and/or complaints without fear of reprisal, by calling our Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Director at 251-368-9136 extension 2801.

Request amendments to and obtain information on disclosures of his or her health information, in accordance with law and regulation.

Change providers if other qualified providers are available.

Good quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

Make advance directives and to have those directives followed to the extent permitted by law.

Personal privacy and to receive care in a safe and secure setting.

A Medicare patient may appeal decisions about his or her care to a local Medicare Review Board. BLRHC will provide the name, address, and phone number of the local Medicare Review Board and information about filing an appeal.

Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.

Be involved in resolving dilemmas about care decisions.

CHILDREN + ADOLESCENTS

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The family/guardian of a child or adolescent patient has the right and responsibility to be involved in decisions about the care of the child. A child or adolescent has the right to have his or her wishes considered in the decision-making as limited by law.

A child or adolescent patient has the right to expect that care and the physical environment will be appropriate to his or her age, size, and needs.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITES

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We value your participation in helping us ensure the high quality and safe delivery of your care. Therefore, as our patient, please be aware of your responsibility to:

Give your health care provider correct and complete information about your health and past medical history.

Tell your provider about any changes in your general health condition, medication, symptoms, or allergies.

Know all the medications that you take or provide a list of them.

Ask questions to ensure you understand the planned treatment and what you need to do.

Follow the recommended treatment plan that you have agreed to, or tell your provider if/why you cannot follow it.

Accept the results of either refusing treatment or not following the treatment plan.

Cancel appointments with as much advance notice as possible, preferably 24 hours.

Be on time for your appointment. Know that if you are over 15 minutes late, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment for another day, or wait until the provider can fit you in.

Follow facility rules regarding smoking, noise, safety, and infection control.

Respect the property and rights of others.

Update your address in accordance with eligibility rules for outside referrals through the Purchased and Referred Care program.

Provide a responsible adult to transport you home from the facility and remain with you for 24 hours, if required by your provider, if applicable.

Behave respectfully toward all the health care professionals and staff, as well as other patients and visitors. Failure to adhere to this, may result in you being banned from all services within the Poarch Creek Indians Health Department.